NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A biker was killed Wednesday afternoon in a violent crash on Houston Street, on the northern edge of SoHo.

As WCBS 880’s Jim Smith reported, it was a gruesome scene at the intersection of Houston Street and West Broadway following the accident around 4:20 p.m.

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash With Minivan On Houston Street

The biker had been headed east on Houston Street upon striking the minivan, which was headed across Houston Street from northbound West Broadway, according to a New York Post report.

“A body on the ground; blood, motorcycle pieces everywhere,” said a witness, Diane, who works at a nearby restaurant. “All I heard was a really loud crash.”

Police identified the victim as Larry Olavarria, 32, of Clifton, N.J. Authorities said the motorcycle and a minivan collided. The van’s rear driver’s side door caved in, and a window was blown out, police said.

Another witness, Gene, said he heard the motorcycle engine rev, and he described the impact as sounding like a bomb.

“He hit the throttle – you could tell – and he went flying right in, flat face,” he said.

The motorcyclist’s lifeless body was covered with a white sheet, with a boot and a helmet strewn across the intersection.

The motorcyclist had not been identified Wednesday night. The newspaper said the driver of the minivan, a Chrysler with license plates from New Jersey, was not injured.